Manufacturers delegate to scattered authorised centres. Warranties exclude normal wear. Maintenance kits overpriced. Mandatory services are more of a commercial barrier than a safety measure. Instructors speak out.
Complaints are collected against brands such as Aqualung, Mares, UWATEC, Suunto, Metalsub, and Hollis for unacceptable repair times, lack of customer response, and refusal to accept responsibility for manufacturing defects. Divers note that after-sales service in Spain is particularly deficient compared to other European countries. The perception is that these brands prioritize sales over customer retention.
Manufacturers delegate technical support to geographically dispersed authorized centers, forcing users to ship their equipment and bear transport costs, with timelines that can exceed several weeks during peak season. Warranties exclude damage from normal wear or improper use, concepts ambiguous enough to reject many claims. Instructors and professional divers denounce that original maintenance kits are disproportionately priced and that the requirement for servicing at authorized workshops functions more as a commercial barrier than a safety measure.